Hey all,So I recently found this Ohio Tool Co no 30 toothing plane, it is missing its blade and wedge. The body is in decent shape but it has some checking in it, and the wood is really dehydrated. What can I do to fill the checks and is there any way to hydrate the wood to prevent further checking? Will soaking it in Linseed Oil work?scroll down for pics

That’s a VERY short stubby plane – I would not worry too much about it being an important tool in your arsenal and just clean it and give it a few coats of oil and a finish of paste wax. Looks like someone hammered the end of it, too.

Just a little coffin smoother. Hammer marks are from loosening the iron. Actually, it looks more like a scraper type of plane. Where the iron goes almost straight down?

get a freezer bag, big enough to hold the plane, fill the bag with first the plane, then BLO. Seal the baggie, and let set overnight… Wipe it down in the morning, and see if it needs a second “coat” Add a big wad of putty where the iron and wedge go, you want bare wood there so the iron won’t slip & slide around in use.

It does look beaten up. What is the point exactly of beating on the back end of a toothing plane?Would it not make more sense to strike the top? (preferably on a striking pin)

Sorry, not to the question. Personally I wouldn’t worry about the checks at least until I had located a compatible toothing blade. They are a great tool if you have a use for them but toothing blades are scarce these days.

I agree with Paul, I wouldn’t worry about this one much because the shape it’s in and locating a blade for it will be a real challenge. I actually found a loose toothing plane blade, but it was so pitted that it’s basically ruined. So go for it, try soaking in blo and see if you have any luck. People say it closes up some checks.

Also agree with Paul, the angle the toothing plane blade is at, striking the end won’t do much good. Appears they noticed that but tried whacking harder to make up for it instead of just hitting the top.